Rwanda

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Kigali

Rwanda's clean, green capital of hills

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Kigali Plan a trip around Rwanda

Best time to visit: Jan, Feb, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Currency: RWF
Time zone: UTC+2
Country: Rwanda

Photo: Emmanuelkwizera, CC BY-SA 4.0

Kigali is Rwanda's capital and largest city, a clean, safe and fast-developing metropolis spread over rolling hills. Visitors come for the moving Genocide Memorial, lively arts and food scene, and as the gateway to gorilla trekking and national parks.

Largest cities

Kigali
Gisenyi
Butare
Musanze
Rwamagana

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Rwanda
Capital: Kigali
City population: 1.7M
Population of Rwanda: 14.6M
Country area: 26,338 km²
Official language: Kinyarwanda, Swahili, English, and French
Currency: Rwandan Franc (RWF) · 1 USD ≈ 1,476 RWF
Time zone: UTC+2
Calling code: +250
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 1,519 m
Plugs: C / J · 230V
Emergency numbers: 112 · 113 · 114
Best time to visit: Jan, Feb, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	27°	27°	27°	25°	25°	26°	27°	28°	28°	27°	26°	26°
Low	15°	15°	15°	15°	15°	15°	15°	15°	15°	15°	15°	15°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$28
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$77
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$215

Plan a trip to Kigali

Top things to do

Free
Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre
A deeply moving museum and burial site for over 250,000 victims, with audio guides available; entry is free but donations are welcome and photography costs extra.
- Half day
- Gasabo
- Indoors
≈ $6
Presidential Palace Museum (Rwanda Art Museum)
Tour the former home of President Habyarimana in Kanombe, with a display on Rwandan clothing; guided tours are mandatory and photography is restricted.
- Half day
- Kicukiro
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Inema Arts Centre
A lively gallery and studio space showing work by Rwandan artists, open daily with late hours on Thursdays; entry is free.
- Half day
- Kicukiro
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $6
Kandt House Museum
The former home of German administrator Richard Kandt, now a natural history museum near the central business district; open daily.
- Half day
- Nyarugenge (city centre)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Nyabugogo Market and Bus Station Area
A busy local market and transport hub where you can buy produce, crafts and street food; go with a local or keep valuables close.
- Half day
- Nyarugenge (city centre)
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Mount Kigali Viewpoint
A short hike or moto ride up Mount Kigali (1,853 m) rewards you with sweeping views over the city, especially at sunset.
- Half day
- Nyarugenge (city centre)
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $30
Lake Muhazi Day Trip
About 40 km east of Kigali, this calm lake offers boat rides, lakeside restaurants and birdwatching; arrange a car or moto for the day.
- Full day
- Gasabo
- Good for kids
≈ $100
Nyungwe Forest National Park Day Trip
A long but rewarding day trip to one of Africa's oldest rainforests for chimpanzee tracking, canopy walks and birding; book permits and transport in advance.
- Full day
- Gasabo

Before you go

Entry and visas

Most visitors need a visa for Rwanda; citizens of Commonwealth countries and many other nationalities can get a free 30-day visa on arrival, while others can apply online for an e-visa before travel. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival and have one blank page, and a yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from a country with transmission risk. Check the latest rules on Rwanda's official immigration website before you travel.

Official website

From the airport

Kigali International Airport (KGL) is 5 km from the centre in Kicukiro District. A taxi into town takes about 15–20 minutes (FRw10,000–15,000), while moto taxis cost FRw1,500–2,000 and city buses also pass the airport.

Getting around

Moto taxis are the fastest and cheapest way around, with ride-hailing apps Move and Yego, plus cashless city buses using Tap&Go cards.

Local tips

Plastic bags are banned in Rwanda; bring only reusable bags or they may be confiscated on arrival.
Dress modestly away from hotels and resorts; casual smart clothing is fine in the city.
Cash in Rwandan francs is useful for motos and markets, though cards and mobile money are widely accepted.
Kigali is considered very safe, but use registered taxis or apps at night and avoid walking alone on unlit roads.
The long rains fall in March–April and short rains in November–December; pack a light rain jacket if visiting then.

Areas worth knowing

Gasabo
Remera
Kicukiro
Kimihurura
Nyarugenge (city centre)

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on September 4, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK